Organic electroluminescent materials and devices

ABSTRACT

A compound of Formula I: 
                         
wherein:
         X 1 -X 8  are each independently C or N, wherein two adjacent X 1 -X 8  are carbon-fused to a structure of Formula II:       

     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             X 9 -X 12  are each independently C or N; 
             A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se, N, NR, CR, CRR′, SiR, SiRR′, GeR, and GeRR′, with at least one of A 1  and A 2  being N or NR; 
             each occurrence of   is independently a single bond or a double bond, wherein one occurrence of   is a single bond and one occurrence of   is a double bond; 
             each of R A , R B , and R c  independently represents zero, mono, or up to a maximum allowed substitution to its associated ring; 
             each of occurrence R, R′, R A , R B , and R C  is independently a hydrogen or a substituent selected from the group consisting of Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII, Formula VIII, Formula IX, deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof, with at least one of R, R′, R A , R B , and R C  comprising a group of Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII, Formula VIII, or Formula IX: 
           
         
       
    
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             each occurrence of Y 1 , Y 2 , and Y 3  is independently absent, O, S, Se, NR, CRR′, SiRR′, or GeRR′; 
             each occurrence of Ar 1 , and Ar 2  is independently an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group, wherein Ar 1  and Ar 2  are optionally joined or fused together to form a ring; 
             each occurrence of X 13 -X 20  is independently C or N, with the proviso that at least one of X 13 -X 20  is N; 
             each occurrence of A 4  is selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se, NR, CRR′, SiRR′, and GeRR′; 
             each occurrence of R X  independently represents zero, mono, or up to a maximum allowed substitution to its associated ring; 
             each occurrence of R X  is independently a hydrogen or a substituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof; 
             each occurrence of R Y  is independently a hydrogen or a substituent selected from the group consisting of Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula IX, deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof; 
             the maximum number of N atoms that are connected to each other within a ring is two; and
 
any two substituents are optionally joined or fused together to form a ring.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/809,113, filed Feb. 22, 2019, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to compounds for use as hosts and devices,such as organic light emitting diodes, including the same.

BACKGROUND

Opto-electronic devices that make use of organic materials are becomingincreasingly desirable for a number of reasons. Many of the materialsused to make such devices are relatively inexpensive, so organicopto-electronic devices have the potential for cost advantages overinorganic devices. In addition, the inherent properties of organicmaterials, such as their flexibility, may make them well suited forparticular applications such as fabrication on a flexible substrate.Examples of organic opto-electronic devices include organic lightemitting diodes/devices (OLEDs), organic phototransistors, organicphotovoltaic cells, and organic photodetectors. For OLEDs, the organicmaterials may have performance advantages over conventional materials.For example, the wavelength at which an organic emissive layer emitslight may generally be readily tuned with appropriate dopants.

OLEDs make use of thin organic films that emit light when voltage isapplied across the device. OLEDs are becoming an increasinglyinteresting technology for use in applications such as flat paneldisplays, illumination, and backlighting. Several OLED materials andconfigurations are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,844,363, 6,303,238, and5,707,745, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

One application for phosphorescent emissive molecules is a full colordisplay. Industry standards for such a display call for pixels adaptedto emit particular colors, referred to as “saturated” colors. Inparticular, these standards call for saturated red, green, and bluepixels. Alternatively the OLED can be designed to emit white light. Inconventional liquid crystal displays emission from a white backlight isfiltered using absorption filters to produce red, green and blueemission. The same technique can also be used with OLEDs.The white OLEDcan be either a single EML device or a stack structure. Color may bemeasured using CIE coordinates, which are well known to the art.

One example of a green emissive molecule is tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium, denoted Ir(ppy)₃, which has the following structure:

In this, and later figures herein, we depict the dative bond fromnitrogen to metal (here, Ir) as a straight line.

As used herein, the term “organic” includes polymeric materials as wellas small molecule organic materials that may be used to fabricateorganic opto-electronic devices. “Small molecule” refers to any organicmaterial that is not a polymer, and “small molecules” may actually bequite large Small molecules may include repeat units in somecircumstances. For example, using a long chain alkyl group as asubstituent does not remove a molecule from the “small molecule” class.Small molecules may also be incorporated into polymers, for example as apendent group on a polymer backbone or as a part of the backbone. Smallmolecules may also serve as the core moiety of a dendrimer, whichconsists of a series of chemical shells built on the core moiety. Thecore moiety of a dendrimer may be a fluorescent or phosphorescent smallmolecule emitter. A dendrimer may be a “small molecule,” and it isbelieved that all dendrimers currently used in the field of OLEDs aresmall molecules.

As used herein, “top” means furthest away from the substrate, while“bottom” means closest to the substrate. Where a first layer isdescribed as “disposed over” a second layer, the first layer is disposedfurther away from substrate. There may be other layers between the firstand second layer, unless it is specified that the first layer is “incontact with” the second layer. For example, a cathode may be describedas “disposed over” an anode, even though there are various organiclayers in between.

As used herein, “solution processable” means capable of being dissolved,dispersed, or transported in and/or deposited from a liquid medium,either in solution or suspension form.

A ligand may be referred to as “photoactive” when it is believed thatthe ligand directly contributes to the photoactive properties of anemissive material. A ligand may be referred to as “ancillary” when it isbelieved that the ligand does not contribute to the photoactiveproperties of an emissive material, although an ancillary ligand mayalter the properties of a photoactive ligand.

As used herein, and as would be generally understood by one skilled inthe art, a first “Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital” (HOMO) or “LowestUnoccupied Molecular Orbital” (LUMO) energy level is “greater than” or“higher than” a second HOMO or LUMO energy level if the first energylevel is closer to the vacuum energy level. Since ionization potentials(IP) are measured as a negative energy relative to a vacuum level, ahigher HOMO energy level corresponds to an IP having a smaller absolutevalue (an IP that is less negative). Similarly, a higher LUMO energylevel corresponds to an electron affinity (EA) having a smaller absolutevalue (an EA that is less negative). On a conventional energy leveldiagram, with the vacuum level at the top, the LUMO energy level of amaterial is higher than the HOMO energy level of the same material. A“higher” HOMO or LUMO energy level appears closer to the top of such adiagram than a “lower” HOMO or LUMO energy level.

As used herein, and as would be generally understood by one skilled inthe art, a first work function is “greater than” or “higher than” asecond work function if the first work function has a higher absolutevalue. Because work functions are generally measured as negative numbersrelative to vacuum level, this means that a “higher” work function ismore negative. On a conventional energy level diagram, with the vacuumlevel at the top, a “higher” work function is illustrated as furtheraway from the vacuum level in the downward direction. Thus, thedefinitions of HOMO and LUMO energy levels follow a different conventionthan work functions.

More details on OLEDs, and the definitions described above, can be foundin U.S. Pat. No. 7,279,704, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

SUMMARY

A compound of Formula I:

wherein:

-   -   X¹-X⁸ are each independently C or N, wherein two adjacent X¹-X⁸        are carbon-fused to a structure of Formula II:

-   -   X⁹-X¹² are each independently C or N;    -   A¹, A², and A³ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of O, S, Se, N, NR, CR, CRR′, SiR, SiRR′, GeR, and        GeRR′, with at least one of A¹ and A² being N or NR;    -   each occurrence of        is independently a single bond or a double bond, wherein one        occurrence of        is a single bond and one occurrence of        is a double bond;    -   each of R^(A), R^(B), and R^(C) independently represents zero,        mono, or up to a maximum allowed substitution to its associated        ring;    -   each of occurrence R, R′, R^(A), R^(B), and R^(C) is        independently a hydrogen or a substituent selected from the        group consisting of Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula        VI, Formula VII, Formula VIII, Formula IX, deuterium, halogen,        alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl,        alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,        heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid,        ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl,        phosphino, and combinations thereof, with at least one of R, R′,        R^(A), R^(B), and R^(C) comprising a group of Formula III,        Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VTT Formula VTTT or        Formula IX:

-   -   each occurrence of Y¹, Y², and Y³ is independently absent, O, S,        Se, NR, CRR′, SiRR′, or GeRR′;    -   each occurrence of Ar¹ and Ar² is independently an optionally        substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted heteroaryl        group, wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are optionally joined or fused        together to form a ring;    -   each occurrence of X¹³-X²⁰ is independently C or N, with the        proviso that at least one of X¹³-X²⁰ is N;    -   each occurrence of A⁴ is selected from the group consisting of        O, S, Se, NR, CRR′, SiRR′, and GeRR′;    -   each occurrence of R^(X) independently represents zero, mono, or        up to a maximum allowed substitution to its associated ring;    -   each occurrence of R^(X) is independently a hydrogen or a        substituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium,        halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,        arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl,        cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl,        carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl,        sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof;    -   each occurrence of R^(Y) is independently a hydrogen or a        substituent selected from the group consisting of Formula III,        Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula IX, deuterium,        halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,        arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl,        cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl,        carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl,        sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof;    -   the maximum number of N atoms that are connected to each other        within a ring is two; and    -   any two substituents are optionally joined or fused together to        form a ring.

An OLED comprising the compound of the present disclosure in an organiclayer therein is also disclosed.

A consumer product comprising the OLED is also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an organic light emitting device.

FIG. 2 shows an inverted organic light emitting device that does nothave a separate electron transport layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, an OLED comprises at least one organic layer disposed betweenand electrically connected to an anode and a cathode. When a current isapplied, the anode injects holes and the cathode injects electrons intothe organic layer(s). The injected holes and electrons each migratetoward the oppositely charged electrode. When an electron and holelocalize on the same molecule, an “exciton,” which is a localizedelectron-hole pair having an excited energy state, is formed. Light isemitted when the exciton relaxes via a photoemissive mechanism. In somecases, the exciton may be localized on an excimer or an exciplex.Non-radiative mechanisms, such as thermal relaxation, may also occur,but are generally considered undesirable.

The initial OLEDs used emissive molecules that emitted light from theirsinglet states (“fluorescence”) as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat.No. 4,769,292, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.Fluorescent emission generally occurs in a time frame of less than 10nanoseconds.

More recently, OLEDs having emissive materials that emit light fromtriplet states (“phosphorescence”) have been demonstrated. Baldo et al.,“Highly Efficient Phosphorescent Emission from OrganicElectroluminescent Devices,” Nature, vol. 395, 151-154, 1998;(“Baldo-I”) and Baldo et al., “Very high-efficiency green organiclight-emitting devices based on electrophosphorescence,” Appl. Phys.Lett., vol. 75, No. 3, 4-6 (1999) (“Baldo-II”), are incorporated byreference in their entireties. Phosphorescence is described in moredetail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,279,704 at cols. 5-6, which are incorporatedby reference.

FIG. 1 shows an organic light emitting device 100. The figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale. Device 100 may include a substrate 110, ananode 115, a hole injection layer 120, a hole transport layer 125, anelectron blocking layer 130, an emissive layer 135, a hole blockinglayer 140, an electron transport layer 145, an electron injection layer150, a protective layer 155, a cathode 160, and a barrier layer 170.Cathode 160 is a compound cathode having a first conductive layer 162and a second conductive layer 164. Device 100 may be fabricated bydepositing the layers described, in order. The properties and functionsof these various layers, as well as example materials, are described inmore detail in U.S. 7,279,704 at cols. 6-10, which are incorporated byreference.

More examples for each of these layers are available. For example, aflexible and transparent substrate-anode combination is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,844,363, which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. An example of a p-doped hole transport layer is m-MTDATA dopedwith F₄-TCNQ at a molar ratio of 50:1, as disclosed in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2003/0230980, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety. Examples of emissive and host materials aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,238 to Thompson et al., which isincorporated by reference in its entirety. An example of an n-dopedelectron transport layer is BPhen doped with Li at a molar ratio of 1:1,as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0230980,which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. Nos.5,703,436 and 5,707,745, which are incorporated by reference in theirentireties, disclose examples of cathodes including compound cathodeshaving a thin layer of metal such as Mg:Ag with an overlyingtransparent, electrically-conductive, sputter-deposited ITO layer. Thetheory and use of blocking layers is described in more detail in U.S.Pat. No. 6,097,147 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2003/0230980, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.Examples of injection layers are provided in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2004/0174116, which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. A description of protective layers may be found in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2004/0174116, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIG. 2 shows an inverted OLED 200. The device includes a substrate 210,a cathode 215, an emissive layer 220, a hole transport layer 225, and ananode 230. Device 200 may be fabricated by depositing the layersdescribed, in order. Because the most common OLED configuration has acathode disposed over the anode, and device 200 has cathode 215 disposedunder anode 230, device 200 may be referred to as an “inverted” OLED.Materials similar to those described with respect to device 100 may beused in the corresponding layers of device 200. FIG. 2 provides oneexample of how some layers may be omitted from the structure of device100.

The simple layered structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided byway of non-limiting example, and it is understood that embodiments ofthe invention may be used in connection with a wide variety of otherstructures. The specific materials and structures described areexemplary in nature, and other materials and structures may be used.Functional OLEDs may be achieved by combining the various layersdescribed in different ways, or layers may be omitted entirely, based ondesign, performance, and cost factors. Other layers not specificallydescribed may also be included. Materials other than those specificallydescribed may be used. Although many of the examples provided hereindescribe various layers as comprising a single material, it isunderstood that combinations of materials, such as a mixture of host anddopant, or more generally a mixture, may be used. Also, the layers mayhave various sublayers. The names given to the various layers herein arenot intended to be strictly limiting. For example, in device 200, holetransport layer 225 transports holes and injects holes into emissivelayer 220, and may be described as a hole transport layer or a holeinjection layer. In one embodiment, an OLED may be described as havingan “organic layer” disposed between a cathode and an anode. This organiclayer may comprise a single layer, or may further comprise multiplelayers of different organic materials as described, for example, withrespect to FIGS. 1 and 2 .

Structures and materials not specifically described may also be used,such as OLEDs comprised of polymeric materials (PLEDs) such as disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,190 to Friend et al., which is incorporated byreference in its entirety. By way of further example, OLEDs having asingle organic layer may be used. OLEDs may be stacked, for example asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,745 to Forrest et al, which isincorporated by reference in its entirety. The OLED structure maydeviate from the simple layered structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 .For example, the substrate may include an angled reflective surface toimprove out-coupling, such as a mesa structure as described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,091,195 to Forrest et al., and/or a pit structure as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,834,893 to Bulovic et al., which are incorporated byreference in their entireties.

Unless otherwise specified, any of the layers of the various embodimentsmay be deposited by any suitable method. For the organic layers,preferred methods include thermal evaporation, ink-jet, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,013,982 and 6,087,196, which areincorporated by reference in their entireties, organic vapor phasedeposition (OVPD), such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,102 toForrest et al., which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, anddeposition by organic vapor jet printing (OVJP), such as described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,431,968, which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Other suitable deposition methods include spin coating andother solution based processes. Solution based processes are preferablycarried out in nitrogen or an inert atmosphere. For the other layers,preferred methods include thermal evaporation. Preferred patterningmethods include deposition through a mask, cold welding such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,294,398 and 6,468,819, which areincorporated by reference in their entireties, and patterning associatedwith some of the deposition methods such as ink jet and organic vaporjet printing (OVJP). Other methods may also be used. The materials to bedeposited may be modified to make them compatible with a particulardeposition method. For example, substituents such as alkyl and arylgroups, branched or unbranched, and preferably containing at least 3carbons, may be used in small molecules to enhance their ability toundergo solution processing. Substituents having 20 carbons or more maybe used, and 3-20 carbons is a preferred range. Materials withasymmetric structures may have better solution processability than thosehaving symmetric structures, because asymmetric materials may have alower tendency to recrystallize. Dendrimer substituents may be used toenhance the ability of small molecules to undergo solution processing.

Devices fabricated in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention may further optionally comprise a barrier layer. One purposeof the barrier layer is to protect the electrodes and organic layersfrom damaging exposure to harmful species in the environment includingmoisture, vapor and/or gases, etc. The barrier layer may be depositedover, under or next to a substrate, an electrode, or over any otherparts of a device including an edge. The barrier layer may comprise asingle layer, or multiple layers. The barrier layer may be formed byvarious known chemical vapor deposition techniques and may includecompositions having a single phase as well as compositions havingmultiple phases. Any suitable material or combination of materials maybe used for the barrier layer. The barrier layer may incorporate aninorganic or an organic compound or both. The preferred barrier layercomprises a mixture of a polymeric material and a non-polymeric materialas described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,968,146, PCT Pat. Application Nos.PCT/US2007/023098 and PCT/US2009/042829, which are herein incorporatedby reference in their entireties. To be considered a “mixture”, theaforesaid polymeric and non-polymeric materials comprising the barrierlayer should be deposited under the same reaction conditions and/or atthe same time. The weight ratio of polymeric to non-polymeric materialmay be in the range of 95:5 to 5:95. The polymeric material and thenon-polymeric material may be created from the same precursor material.In one example, the mixture of a polymeric material and a non-polymericmaterial consists essentially of polymeric silicon and inorganicsilicon.

Devices fabricated in accordance with embodiments of the invention canbe incorporated into a wide variety of electronic component modules (orunits) that can be incorporated into a variety of electronic products orintermediate components. Examples of such electronic products orintermediate components include display screens, lighting devices suchas discrete light source devices or lighting panels, etc. that can beutilized by the end-user product manufacturers. Such electroniccomponent modules can optionally include the driving electronics and/orpower source(s). Devices fabricated in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention can be incorporated into a wide variety of consumerproducts that have one or more of the electronic component modules (orunits) incorporated therein. A consumer product comprising an OLED thatincludes the compound of the present disclosure in the organic layer inthe OLED is disclosed. Such consumer products would include any kind ofproducts that include one or more light source(s) and/or one or more ofsome type of visual displays. Some examples of such consumer productsinclude flat panel displays, curved displays, computer monitors, medicalmonitors, televisions, billboards, lights for interior or exteriorillumination and/or signaling, heads-up displays, fully or partiallytransparent displays, flexible displays, rollable displays, foldabledisplays, stretchable displays, laser printers, telephones, mobilephones, tablets, phablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wearabledevices, laptop computers, digital cameras, camcorders, viewfinders,micro-displays (displays that are less than 2 inches diagonal), 3-Ddisplays, virtual reality or augmented reality displays, vehicles, videowalls comprising multiple displays tiled together, theater or stadiumscreen, a light therapy device, and a sign. Various control mechanismsmay be used to control devices fabricated in accordance with the presentinvention, including passive matrix and active matrix. Many of thedevices are intended for use in a temperature range comfortable tohumans, such as 18 degrees C. to 30 degrees C., and more preferably atroom temperature (20-25 degrees C.), but could be used outside thistemperature range, for example, from −40 degree C. to +80 degree C.

The materials and structures described herein may have applications indevices other than OLEDs. For example, other optoelectronic devices suchas organic solar cells and organic photodetectors may employ thematerials and structures. More generally, organic devices, such asorganic transistors, may employ the materials and structures.

The terms “halo,” “halogen,” or “halide” as used interchangeably andrefer to fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The term “acyl” refers to a substituted carbonyl radical (C(O)—R_(s)).

The term “ester” refers to a substituted oxycarbonyl (—O—C(O)—R_(s) or—C(O)—O—R_(s)) radical.

The term “ether” refers to an —OR_(s) radical.

The terms “sulfanyl” or “thio-ether” are used interchangeably and referto a —SR_(s) radical.

The term “sulfinyl” refers to a —S(O)—R_(s) radical.

The term “sulfonyl” refers to a —SO₂—R_(s) radical.

The term “phosphino” refers to a —P(R_(s))₃ radical, wherein each R_(s)can be same or different.

The term “silyl” refers to a —Si(R_(s))₃ radical, wherein each R can besame or different.

In each of the above, R_(s) can be hydrogen or a substituent selectedfrom the group consisting of deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl,heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl,alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, andcombination thereof. Preferred R is selected from the group consistingof alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and combination thereof

The term “alkyl” refers to and includes both straight and branched chainalkyl radicals. Preferred alkyl groups are those containing from one tofifteen carbon atoms and includes methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl,butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, pentyl, 1-methylbutyl,2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl,2,2-dimethylpropyl,and the like. Additionally, the alkyl group may beoptionally substituted.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to and includes monocyclic, polycyclic, andspiro alkyl radicals. Preferred cycloalkyl groups are those containing 3to 12 ring carbon atoms and includes cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, bicyclo[3.1.1]heptyl, spiro[4.5]decyl, spiro[5.5]undecyl,adamantyl, and the like. Additionally, the cycloalkyl group may beoptionally substituted.

The terms “heteroalkyl” or “heterocycloalkyl” refer to an alkyl or acycloalkyl radical, respectively, having at least one carbon atomreplaced by a heteroatom. Optionally the at least one heteroatom isselected from O, S, N, P, B, Si and Se, preferably, O, S or N.Additionally, the heteroalkyl or heterocycloalkyl group is optionallysubstituted.

The term “alkenyl” refers to and includes both straight and branchedchain alkene radicals. Alkenyl groups are essentially alkyl groups thatinclude at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the alkyl chain.Cycloalkenyl groups are essentially cycloalkyl groups that include atleast one carbon-carbon double bond in the cycloalkyl ring. The term“heteroalkenyl” as used herein refers to an alkenyl radical having atleast one carbon atom replaced by a heteroatom. Optionally the at leastone heteroatom is selected from O, S, N, P, B, Si and Se, preferably, O,S or N. Preferred alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, or heteroalkenyl groups arethose containing two to fifteen carbon atoms. Additionally, the alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, or heteroalkenyl group is optionally substituted.

The term “alkynyl” refers to and includes both straight and branchedchain alkyne radicals. Preferred alkynyl groups are those containing twoto fifteen carbon atoms. Additionally, the alkynyl group is optionallysubstituted.

The terms “aralkyl” or “arylalkyl” are used interchangeably and refer toan alkyl group that is substituted with an aryl group. Additionally, thearalkyl group is optionally substituted.

The term “heterocyclic group” refers to and includes aromatic andnon-aromatic cyclic radicals containing at least one heteroatom.Optionally the at least one heteroatom is selected from O, S, N, P, B,Si and Se, preferably, O, S or N. Hetero-aromatic cyclic radicals may beused interchangeably with heteroaryl. Preferred hetero-non-aromaticcyclic groups are those containing 3 to 7 ring atoms which includes atleast one hetero atom, and includes cyclic amines such as morpholino,piperidino, pyrrolidino, and the like, and cyclic ethers/thio-ethers,such as tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, tetrahydrothiophene, and thelike. Additionally, the heterocyclic group may be optionallysubstituted.

The term “aryl” refers to and includes both single-ring aromatichydrocarbyl groups and polycyclic aromatic ring systems. The polycyclicrings may have two or more rings in which two carbons are common to twoadjoining rings (the rings are “fused”) wherein at least one of therings is an aromatic hydrocarbyl group, e.g., the other rings can becycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, aryl, heterocycles, and/or heteroaryls.Preferred aryl groups are those containing six to thirty carbon atoms,preferably six to twenty carbon atoms, more preferably six to twelvecarbon atoms. Especially preferred is an aryl group having six carbons,ten carbons or twelve carbons. Suitable aryl groups include phenyl,biphenyl, triphenyl, triphenylene, tetraphenylene, naphthalene,anthracene, phenalene, phenanthrene, fluorene, pyrene, chrysene,perylene, and azulene, preferably phenyl, biphenyl, triphenyl,triphenylene, fluorene, and naphthalene. Additionally, the aryl groupmay be optionally substituted.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to and includes both single-ringhetero-aromatic groups and polycyclic aromatic ring systems that includeat least one heteroatom. The heteroatoms include, but are not limited toO, S, N, P, B, Si and Se. In many instances, O, S or N are the preferredheteroatoms. Hetero-single ring aromatic systems are preferably singlerings with 5 or 6 ring atoms, and the ring can have from one to sixheteroatoms. The hetero-polycyclic ring systems can have two or morerings in which two atoms are common to two adjoining rings (the ringsare “fused”) wherein at least one of the rings is a heteroaryl, e.g.,the other rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, aryl, heterocycles,and/or heteroaryls. The hetero-polycyclic aromatic ring systems can havefrom one to six heteroatoms per ring of the polycyclic aromatic ringsystem. Preferred heteroaryl groups are those containing three to thirtycarbon atoms, preferably three to twenty carbon atoms, more preferablythree to twelve carbon atoms. Suitable heteroaryl groups includedibenzothiophene, dibenzofuran, dibenzoselenophene, furan, thiophene,benzofuran, benzothiophene, benzoselenophene, carbazole,indolocarbazole, pyridylindole, pyrrolodipyridine, pyrazole, imidazole,triazole, oxazole, thiazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, dioxazole,thiadiazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazine,oxazine, oxathiazine, oxadiazine, indole, benzimidazole, indazole,indoxazine, benzoxazole, benzisoxazole, benzothiazole, quinoline,isoquinoline, cinnoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline, naphthyridine,phthalazine, pteridine, xanthene, acridine, phenazine, phenothiazine,phenoxazine, benzofuropyridine, furodipyridine, benzothienopyridine,thienodipyridine, benzoselenophenopyridine, and selenophenodipyridine,preferably dibenzothiophene, dibenzofuran, dibenzoselenophene,carbazole, indolocarbazole, imidazole, pyridine, triazine,benzimidazole, 1,2-azaborine, 1,3-azaborine, 1,4-azaborine, borazine,and aza-analogs thereof. Additionally, the heteroaryl group may beoptionally substituted.

Of the aryl and heteroaryl groups listed above, the groups oftriphenylene, naphthalene, anthracene, dibenzothiophene, dibenzofuran,dibenzoselenophene, carbazole, indolocarbazole, imidazole, pyridine,pyrazine, pyrimidine, triazine, and benzimidazole, and the respectiveaza-analogs of each thereof are of particular interest.

The terms alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, heterocyclic group, aryl,and heteroaryl, as used herein, are independently unsubstituted orsubstituted with one or more general substituents.

In many instances, the general substituents are selected from the groupconsisting of deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, cyclic amino,silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl,acyl, carbonyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile,sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof.

In some instances, the preferred general substituents are selected fromthe group consisting of deuterium, fluorine, alkyl, cycloalkyl,heteroalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,heteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, andcombinations thereof

In some instances, the preferred general substituents are selected fromthe group consisting of deuterium, fluorine, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy,aryloxy, amino, silyl, aryl, heteroaryl, sulfanyl, and combinationsthereof.

In yet other instances, the more preferred general substituents areselected from the group consisting of deuterium, fluorine, alkyl,cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The terms “substituted” and “substitution” refer to a substituent otherthan H that is bonded to the relevant position, e.g., a carbon ornitrogen. For example, when R¹ represents mono-substitution, then one R¹must be other than H (i.e., a substitution) Similarly, when R¹represents di-substitution, then two of R¹ must be other than HSimilarly, when R¹ represents no substitution, R¹, for example, can be ahydrogen for available valencies of ring atoms, as in carbon atoms forbenzene and the nitrogen atom in pyrrole, or simply represents nothingfor ring atoms with fully filled valencies, e.g., the nitrogen atom inpyridine. The maximum number of substitutions possible in a ringstructure will depend on the total number of available valencies in thering atoms.

As used herein, “combinations thereof” indicates that one or moremembers of the applicable list are combined to form a known orchemically stable arrangement that one of ordinary skill in the art canenvision from the applicable list. For example, an alkyl and deuteriumcan be combined to form a partial or fully deuterated alkyl group; ahalogen and alkyl can be combined to form a halogenated alkylsubstituent; and a halogen, alkyl, and aryl can be combined to form ahalogenated arylalkyl. In one instance, the term substitution includes acombination of two to four of the listed groups. In another instance,the term substitution includes a combination of two to three groups. Inyet another instance, the term substitution includes a combination oftwo groups. Preferred combinations of substituent groups are those thatcontain up to fifty atoms that are not hydrogen or deuterium, or thosewhich include up to forty atoms that are not hydrogen or deuterium, orthose that include up to thirty atoms that are not hydrogen ordeuterium. In many instances, a preferred combination of substituentgroups will include up to twenty atoms that are not hydrogen ordeuterium.

The “aza” designation in the fragments described herein, i.e.aza-dibenzofuran, aza-dibenzothiophene, etc. means that one or more ofthe C-H groups in the respective aromatic ring can be replaced by anitrogen atom, for example, and without any limitation, azatriphenyleneencompasses both dibenzo[f,h]quinoxaline and dibenzo[f,h]quinoline. Oneof ordinary skill in the art can readily envision other nitrogen analogsof the aza-derivatives described above, and all such analogs areintended to be encompassed by the terms as set forth herein.

As used herein, “deuterium” refers to an isotope of hydrogen. Deuteratedcompounds can be readily prepared using methods known in the art. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 8,557,400, Patent Pub. No. WO 2006/095951, andU.S. Pat. Application Pub. No. US 2011/0037057, which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties, describe the making ofdeuterium-substituted organometallic complexes. Further reference ismade to Ming Yan, et al., Tetrahedron 2015, 71, 1425-30 and Atzrodt etal., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (Reviews) 2007, 46, 7744-65, which areincorporated by reference in their entireties, describe the deuterationof the methylene hydrogens in benzyl amines and efficient pathways toreplace aromatic ring hydrogens with deuterium, respectively.

It is to be understood that when a molecular fragment is described asbeing a substituent or otherwise attached to another moiety, its namemay be written as if it were a fragment (e.g. phenyl, phenylene,naphthyl, dibenzofuryl) or as if it were the whole molecule (e.g.benzene, naphthalene, dibenzofuran). As used herein, these differentways of designating a substituent or attached fragment are considered tobe equivalent.

In some instance, a pair of adjacent substituents can be optionallyjoined or fused into a ring. The preferred ring is a five, six, orseven-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, includes both instanceswhere the portion of the ring formed by the pair of substituents issaturated and where the portion of the ring formed by the pair ofsubstituents is unsaturated. As used herein, “adjacent” means that thetwo substituents involved can be on the same ring next to each other, oron two neighboring rings having the two closest available substitutablepositions, such as 2,2′ positions in a biphenyl, or 1,8 position in anaphthalene, as long as they can form a stable fused ring system.

In one aspect, the present invention includes a compound of Formula I:

wherein:

-   -   X¹-X⁸ are each independently C or N, wherein two adjacent X¹-X⁸        are carbon-fused to a structure of Formula II:

-   -   X⁹-X¹² are each independently C or N;    -   A¹, A², and A³ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of O, S, Se, N, NR, CR, CRR′, SiR, SiRR′, GeR, and        GeRR′, with at least one of A¹ and A² being N or NR;    -   each occurrence of        is independently a single bond or a double bond, wherein one        occurrence of        is a single bond and one occurrence of        is a double bond;    -   each of R^(A), R^(B), and R^(C) independently represents zero,        mono, or up to a maximum allowed substitution to its associated        ring;    -   each of occurrence R, R′, R^(A), R^(B), and R^(C) is        independently a hydrogen or a substituent selected from the        group consisting of Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula        VI, Formula VII, Formula VIII, Formula IX, deuterium, halogen,        alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl,        alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,        heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid,        ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl,        phosphino, and combinations thereof, with at least one of R, R′,        R^(A), R^(B), and R^(C) comprising a group of Formula III,        Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII, Formula VIII, or        Formula IX:

-   -   each occurrence of Y¹, Y², and Y³ is independently absent, O, S,        Se, NR, CRR′, SiRR′, or GeRR′;    -   each occurrence of Ar¹ and Ar² is independently an optionally        substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted heteroaryl        group, wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are optionally joined or fused        together to form a ring;    -   each occurrence of X¹³-X²⁰ is independently C or N, with the        proviso that at least one of X¹³-X²⁰ is N;    -   each occurrence of A⁴ is selected from the group consisting of        O, S, Se, NR, CRR′, SiRR′, and GeRR′;    -   each occurrence of R^(X) independently represents zero, mono, or        up to a maximum allowed substitution to its associated ring;    -   each occurrence of R^(X) is independently a hydrogen or a        substituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium,        halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,        arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl,        cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl,        carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl,        sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof;    -   each occurrence of R^(Y) is independently a hydrogen or a        substituent selected from the group consisting of Formula III,        Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula IX, deuterium,        halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,        arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl,        cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl,        carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl,        sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof;    -   the maximum number of N atoms that are connected to each other        within a ring is two; and    -   any two substituents are optionally joined or fused together to        form a ring.

In one embodiment, each of R, R′, R^(A), R^(B), R^(C), R^(X), and R^(Y)is independently a hydrogen or a substituent selected from the groupconsisting of deuterium, fluorine, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl,alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,heteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, andcombinations thereof.

In one embodiment, A¹, A², and A³ are selected from the group consistingof O, S, Se, N, NR, CR, CRR′, SiR, SiRR′, GeR, and GeRR′, whereinvalency is satisfied. For example, in one embodiment, when the

of A¹

is a single bond, A¹ is selected from the group consisting of NR, CRR′,SiRR′, and GeRR′. In one embodiment, when the

of A²

is a single bond, A² is selected from the group consisting of NR, CRR′,SiRR′, and GeRR′. In one embodiment, when the

of A¹

is a double bond, A¹ is selected from the group consisting of N, CR,SiR, and GeR. In one embodiment, when the

of A²

is a double bond, A² is selected from the group consisting of N, CR,SiR, and GeR.

In one embodiment, one of A¹ and A² is N and the other is NR. In oneembodiment, R is aryl or heteroaryl group. In one embodiment, R is a5-membered or 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl group. In one embodiment, Ris a phenyl or pyridine ring

In one embodiment, A³ is NR. In one embodiment, R is aryl or heteroarylgroup.

In one embodiment, wherein X⁷ and X⁸ are both C and fused to Formula II.In one embodiment, X⁶ and X⁷ are both C and fused to Formula II.

In one embodiment, X¹-X⁴ are each independently C. In one embodiment,X⁵-X⁸ are each independently C. In one embodiment, X¹-X⁸ are eachindependently C. In one embodiment, X⁹-X¹² are each independently C.

In one embodiment, one of X¹-X⁸ is N. In one embodiment, one of X¹-X⁴ isN. In one embodiment, one of X⁵-X⁸ is N. In one embodiment, one of X¹-X⁴is N, and one of X⁵-X⁸ is N. In one embodiment, X⁹-X¹² is N.

In one embodiment, Y¹ and Y² are each independently O, and Y³ is absent.In one embodiment, Y¹, Y², and Y³ are each independently O.

In one embodiment, A⁴ is NR. In one embodiment, R is aryl or heteroaryl.

In one embodiment, one of A¹-A³ is NR wherein R comprises a carbazolesubstituted with a group of formula III-formula IX.

In one embodiment, the compound has the following formula:

wherein X¹-X¹², A¹-A³, R^(A), R^(B), and R^(C) are each as definedabove.

In one embodiment, one of A¹ and A² is N and the other is NR. In oneembodiment, R is aryl or heteroaryl group. In one embodiment, R is a5-membered or 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl group. In one embodiment, Ris a phenyl or pyridine ring.

In one embodiment, A³ is NR. In one embodiment, R is aryl or heteroarylgroup.

In one embodiment, X¹-X⁴ are each independently C. In one embodiment,X⁵-X⁸ are each independently C. In one embodiment, X¹-X⁸ are eachindependently C. In one embodiment, X⁹-X¹² are each independently C.

In one embodiment, one of X¹-X⁸ is N. In one embodiment, one of X¹-X⁴ isN. In one embodiment, one of X⁵-X⁸ is N. In one embodiment, one of X¹-X⁴is N, and one of X⁵-X⁸ is N. In one embodiment, X⁹-X¹² is N.

In one embodiment, the compound has the following formula

wherein X¹-X¹², A³, R, R^(A), R^(B), and R^(C) each as defined as above.

In one embodiment, R is aryl or heteroaryl group. In one embodiment, Ris a 5-membered or 6-membered aryl or heteroaryl. In one embodiment, Ris a phenyl or pyridine ring.

In one embodiment, A³ is NR. In one embodiment, R is aryl or heteroarylgroup.

In one embodiment, X¹-X⁴ are each independently C. In one embodiment,X⁵-X⁸ are each independently C. In one embodiment, X¹-X⁸ are eachindependently C. In one embodiment, X⁹-X¹² are each independently C.

In one embodiment, one of X¹-X⁸ is N. In one embodiment, one of X¹-X⁴ isN. In one embodiment, one of X⁵-X⁸ is N. In one embodiment, one of X¹-X⁴is N, and one of X⁵-X⁸ is N. In one embodiment, X⁹-X¹² is N.

In one embodiment, one of R, R^(A) or R^(B) comprises a group of FormulaIII:

In one embodiment, occurrence of R^(X) is independently a hydrogen or asubstituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium, fluorine,alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, nitrile, isonitrile,sulfanyl, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, Y¹, Y², and Y³ are each independently absent, O orNR, with R being an aryl or heteroaryl group. In one embodiment, two ormore of Y¹, Y², and Y³ are O or NR, with R being an aryl or heteroarylgroup. In one embodiment, Y¹ and Y² are each O, and Y³ is absent. In oneembodiment, Y¹, Y², and Y³ are each independently O.

In one embodiment, each occurrence of R^(X) is independently hydrogen,deuterium, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or combinations thereof.In one embodiment, each occurrence of R^(X) is independently hydrogen.

In one embodiment, one of R, R^(A) or R^(B) has Formula IV:

In one embodiment, each occurrence of R^(X) is independently a hydrogenor a substituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium,fluorine, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl,alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, R^(X)for each occurrence is independently hydrogen, deuterium, alkyl,cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or combinations thereof. In oneembodiment, R^(X) for each occurrence is independently hydrogen.

In one embodiment, one of R, R^(A) or R^(B) has Formula V:

In one embodiment, each occurrence of R^(X) is independently a hydrogenor a substituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium,fluorine, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl,alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, R^(X)for each occurrence is independently hydrogen, deuterium, alkyl,cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or combinations thereof. In oneembodiment, R^(X) for each occurrence is independently hydrogen.

In one embodiment, one of R, R^(A) or R^(B) has Formula VI:

In one embodiment, each occurrence of R^(X) is independently a hydrogenor a substituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium,fluorine, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl,alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, eachoccurrence of R^(X) is independently hydrogen, deuterium, alkyl,cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or combinations thereof. In oneembodiment, R^(X) for each occurrence is independently hydrogen.

In one embodiment, A⁴ is NR. In one embodiment, R is aryl or heteroarylgroup.

In one embodiment, one of X¹³-X¹⁶ is N. In one embodiment, one ofX¹⁷-X²⁰ is N. In one embodiment, X¹³-X¹⁶ is N, and one of X¹⁷-X²⁰ is N.

In one embodiment, one of R, R^(A) or R^(B) has Formula VII or VIII:

In one embodiment, occurrence of R^(X) is independently a hydrogen or asubstituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium, fluorine,alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, nitrile, isonitrile,sulfanyl, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, each occurrenceof R^(X) is independently hydrogen, deuterium, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, R^(X) for eachoccurrence is independently hydrogen.

In one embodiment, R^(Y) is a phenyl group. In one embodiment, R^(Y) isFormula III.

In one embodiment, one of, R^(A) or R^(B) has Formula IX:

In one embodiment, each occurrence of R^(X) is independently hydrogen,deuterium, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or combinations thereof.In one embodiment, R^(X) for each occurrence is independently hydrogen.

In one embodiment, the compound is selected from the group consistingof:

In one embodiment, the compound of Formula I is selected from the groupconsisting of:

wherein the compound comprises a substituent comprising a group ofFormula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII, FormulaVIII, or Formula IX, and

-   wherein each ring of each of the above core structures is further    independently optionally substituted from zero up to a maximum    allowed substitution with its associated ring by a hydrogen or a    substituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium,    halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,    arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl,    cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl,    carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl,    sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof, wherein any    two substituents are optionally joined or fused together to form a    ring.

In one embodiment, the compound is selected from the group consistingof:

In another aspect, the invention includes an organic light emittingdevice (OLED) comprising an anode, a cathode, and an organic layerdisposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the wherein theorganic layer comprises a compound according to Formula I.

In one embodiment, the organic layer is an emissive layer and thecompound is an emissive dopant or a non-emissive dopant. In oneembodiment, wherein the organic layer is an emissive layer and thecompound according to Formula I is a host.

In one embodiment, the compound is a host, and the organic layer is anemissive layer that comprises a phosphorescent emitter.

In some embodiments, the OLED has one or more characteristics selectedfrom the group consisting of being flexible, being rollable, beingfoldable, being stretchable, and being curved. In some embodiments, theOLED is transparent or semi-transparent. In some embodiments, the OLEDfurther comprises a layer comprising carbon nanotubes.

In some embodiments, the OLED further comprises a layer comprising adelayed fluorescent emitter. In some embodiments, the OLED comprises aRGB pixel arrangement or white plus color filter pixel arrangement. Insome embodiments, the OLED is a mobile device, a hand held device, or awearable device. In some embodiments, the OLED is a display panel havingless than 10 inch diagonal or 50 square inch area. In some embodiments,the OLED is a display panel having at least 10 inch diagonal or 50square inch area. In some embodiments, the OLED is a lighting panel.

The emitter dopants can be phosphorescent dopants and/or fluorescentdopants. The organic layer can include a compound according to FormulaI, and its variations as described herein as a host.

In one embodiment, the organic layer further comprises a phosphorescentemissive dopant. In one embodiment, first phosphorescent emitter is atransition metal complex having at least one ligand or part of theligand if the ligand is more than bidentate selected from the groupconsisting of:

-   -   wherein each Y¹ to Y¹³ are independently selected from the group        consisting of carbon and nitrogen;    -   wherein Y′ is selected from the group consisting of BR_(e),        NR_(e), PR_(e), O, S, Se, C═O, S=0, SO₂, CR_(e)R_(f),        SiR_(e)R_(f), and G_(e)R_(e)R_(f);    -   wherein R_(e) and R_(f) are optionally fused or joined to form a        ring;    -   wherein each R_(a), R_(b), R_(c), and R_(d) independently        represent zero, mono, or up to a maximum allowed substitution to        its associated ring;    -   wherein each of R_(a), R_(b), R_(c), R_(d), R_(e) and R_(f) is        independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,        deuterium, halide, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl,        alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,        heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carbonyl,        carboxylic acid, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl,        sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof; and    -   wherein two adjacent substituents of R_(a), R_(b), R_(c), and        R_(d) are optionally fused or joined to form a ring or form a        multidentate ligand.

In one embodiment, the compound is an acceptor, and the OLED furthercomprises a sensitizer selected from the group consisting of a delayedfluorescence emitter, a phosphorescent emitter, and combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the compound is a fluorescent emitter, a delayedfluorescence emitter, or a component of an exciplex that is afluorescent emitter or a delayed fluorescence emitter.

In one embodiment, the compound is a sensitizer, and the OLED furthercomprises an acceptor selected from the group consisting of afluorescent emitter, a delayed fluorescence emitter, and combinationthereof. The sensitizer can be the compound itself, or an exciplex ofwhich the compound is one of the components.

According to another aspect, a formulation comprising the compounddescribed herein is also disclosed.

The OLED disclosed herein can be incorporated into one or more of aconsumer product, an electronic component module, and a lighting panel.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a formulation thatcomprises the novel compound disclosed herein is described. Theformulation can include one or more components selected from the groupconsisting of a solvent, a host, a hole injection material, holetransport material, electron blocking material, hole blocking material,and an electron transport layer material, disclosed herein.

The present disclosure encompasses any chemical structure comprising thenovel compound of the present disclosure, or a monovalent or polyvalentvariant thereof. In other words, the inventive compound, or a monovalentor polyvalent variant thereof, can be a part of a larger chemicalstructure. Such chemical structure can be selected from the groupconsisting of a monomer, a polymer, a macromolecule, and a supramolecule(also known as supermolecule). As used herein, a “monovalent variant ofa compound” refers to a moiety that is identical to the compound exceptthat one hydrogen has been removed and replaced with a bond to the restof the chemical structure. As used herein, a “polyvalent variant of acompound” refers to a moiety that is identical to the compound exceptthat more than one hydrogen has been removed and replaced with a bond orbonds to the rest of the chemical structure. In the instance of asupramolecule, the inventive compound can also be incorporated into thesupramolecule complex without covalent bonds.

Combination with other Materials

The materials described herein as useful for a particular layer in anorganic light emitting device may be used in combination with a widevariety of other materials present in the device. For example, emissivedopants disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with a wide varietyof hosts, transport layers, blocking layers, injection layers,electrodes and other layers that may be present. The materials describedor referred to below are non-limiting examples of materials that may beuseful in combination with the compounds disclosed herein, and one ofskill in the art can readily consult the literature to identify othermaterials that may be useful in combination.

Conductivity Dopants:

A charge transport layer can be doped with conductivity dopants tosubstantially alter its density of charge carriers, which will in turnalter its conductivity. The conductivity is increased by generatingcharge carriers in the matrix material, and depending on the type ofdopant, a change in the Fermi level of the semiconductor may also beachieved. Hole-transporting layer can be doped by p-type conductivitydopants and n-type conductivity dopants are used in theelectron-transporting layer.

Non-limiting examples of the conductivity dopants that may be used in anOLED in combination with materials disclosed herein are exemplifiedbelow together with references that disclose those materials:EP01617493, EP01968131, EP2020694, EP2684932, US20050139810,US20070160905, US20090167167, US2010288362, WO06081780, WO2009003455,WO2009008277, WO2009011327, WO2014009310, US2007252140, US2015060804,US20150123047, and US2012146012.

HIL/HTL:

A hole injecting/transporting material to be used in the presentinvention is not particularly limited, and any compound may be used aslong as the compound is typically used as a hole injecting/transportingmaterial. Examples of the material include, but are not limited to: aphthalocyanine or porphyrin derivative; an aromatic amine derivative; anindolocarbazole derivative; a polymer containing fluorohydrocarbon; apolymer with conductivity dopants; a conducting polymer, such asPEDOT/PSS; a self-assembly monomer derived from compounds such asphosphonic acid and silane derivatives; a metal oxide derivative, suchas MoO_(x); a p-type semiconducting organic compound, such as1,4,5,8,9,12-Hexaazatriphenylenehexacarbonitrile; a metal complex, and across-linkable compounds.

Examples of aromatic amine derivatives used in HIL or HTL include, butare not limited to the following general structures:

Each of Ar¹ to Ar⁹ is selected from the group consisting of aromatichydrocarbon cyclic compounds such as benzene, biphenyl, triphenyl,triphenylene, naphthalene, anthracene, phenalene, phenanthrene,fluorene, pyrene, chrysene, perylene, and azulene; the group consistingof aromatic heterocyclic compounds such as dibenzothiophene,dibenzofuran, dibenzoselenophene, furan, thiophene, benzofuran,benzothiophene, benzoselenophene, carbazole, indolocarbazole,pyridylindole, pyrrolodipyridine, pyrazole, imidazole, triazole,oxazole, thiazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, dioxazole, thiadiazole,pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazine, oxazine,oxathiazine, oxadiazine, indole, benzimidazole, indazole, indoxazine,benzoxazole, benzisoxazole, benzothiazole, quinoline, isoquinoline,cinnoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline, naphthyridine, phthalazine,pteridine, xanthene, acridine, phenazine, phenothiazine, phenoxazine,benzofuropyridine, furodipyridine, benzothienopyridine,thienodipyridine, benzoselenophenopyridine, and selenophenodipyridine;and the group consisting of 2 to 10 cyclic structural units which aregroups of the same type or different types selected from the aromatichydrocarbon cyclic group and the aromatic heterocyclic group and arebonded to each other directly or via at least one of oxygen atom,nitrogen atom, sulfur atom, silicon atom, phosphorus atom, boron atom,chain structural unit and the aliphatic cyclic group. Each Ar may beunsubstituted or may be substituted by a substituent selected from thegroup consisting of deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylicacids, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl,phosphino, and combinations thereof.

In one aspect Ar¹ to Ar⁹ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of:

wherein k is an integer from 1 to 20; X¹⁰¹ to X¹⁰⁸ is C (including CH)or N; Z¹⁰¹ is NAr¹, 0, or S; Ar¹ has the same group defined above.

Examples of metal complexes used in HIL or HTL include, but are notlimited to the following general formula:

wherein Met is a metal, which can have an atomic weight greater than 40;(Y¹⁰¹-Y¹⁰²) is a bidentate ligand, Y¹⁰¹ and Y¹⁰² are independentlyselected from C, N, O, P, and S; L¹⁰¹ is an ancillary ligand; k′ is aninteger value from 1 to the maximum number of ligands that may beattached to the metal; and k′+k″ is the maximum number of ligands thatmay be attached to the metal.

In one aspect, (Y¹⁰¹-Y¹⁰²) is a 2-phenylpyridine derivative. In anotheraspect, (Y¹⁰¹-Y¹⁰²) is a carbene ligand. In another aspect, Met isselected from Ir, Pt, Os, and Zn. In a further aspect, the metal complexhas a smallest oxidation potential in solution vs. Fc⁺/Fc couple lessthan about 0.6 V.

Non-limiting examples of the HIL and HTL materials that may be used inan OLED in combination with materials disclosed herein are exemplifiedbelow together with references that disclose those materials:CN102702075, DE102012005215, EP01624500, EP01698613, EP01806334,EP01930964, EP01972613, EP01997799, EP02011790, EP02055700, EP02055701,EP1725079, EP2085382, EP2660300, EP650955, JP07-073529, JP2005112765,JP2007091719, JP2008021687, JP2014-009196, KR20110088898, KR20130077473,TW201139402, US06517957, US20020158242, US20030162053, US20050123751,US20060182993, US20060240279, US20070145888, US20070181874,US20070278938, US20080014464, US20080091025, US20080106190,US20080124572, US20080145707, US20080220265, US20080233434,US20080303417, US2008107919, US20090115320, US20090167161, US2009066235,US2011007385, US20110163302, US2011240968, US2011278551, US2012205642,US2013241401, US20140117329, US2014183517, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,061,569,5,639,914, WO05075451, WO07125714, WO08023550, WO08023759, WO2009145016,WO2010061824, WO2011075644, WO2012177006, WO2013018530, WO2013039073,WO2013087142, WO2013118812, WO2013120577, WO2013157367, WO2013175747,WO2014002873, WO2014015935, WO2014015937, WO2014030872, WO2014030921,WO2014034791, WO2014104514, WO2014157018,

EBL:

An electron blocking layer (EBL) may be used to reduce the number ofelectrons and/or excitons that leave the emissive layer. The presence ofsuch a blocking layer in a device may result in substantially higherefficiencies, and/or longer lifetime, as compared to a similar devicelacking a blocking layer. Also, a blocking layer may be used to confineemission to a desired region of an OLED. In some embodiments, the EBLmaterial has a higher LUMO (closer to the vacuum level) and/or highertriplet energy than the emitter closest to the EBL interface. In someembodiments, the EBL material has a higher LUMO (closer to the vacuumlevel) and/or higher triplet energy than one or more of the hostsclosest to the EBL interface. In one aspect, the compound used in EBLcontains the same molecule or the same functional groups used as one ofthe hosts described below.

Additional Hosts:

The light emitting layer of the organic EL device of the presentinvention preferably contains at least a metal complex as light emittingdopant material, and may contain one or more additional host materialsusing the metal complex as a dopant material. Examples of the hostmaterial are not particularly limited, and any metal complexes ororganic compounds may be used as long as the triplet energy of the hostis larger than that of the dopant. Any host material may be used withany dopant so long as the triplet criteria is satisfied.

Examples of metal complexes used as host are preferred to have thefollowing general formula:

wherein Met is a metal; (Y¹⁰³Y¹⁰⁴) is a bidentate ligand, Y¹⁰³ and Y¹⁰⁴are independently selected from C, N, O, P, and S; L¹⁰¹ is an anotherligand; k′ is an integer value from 1 to the maximum number of ligandsthat may be attached to the metal; and k′+k″ is the maximum number ofligands that may be attached to the metal.

In one aspect, the metal complexes are:

wherein (O—N) is a bidentate ligand, having metal coordinated to atoms Oand N.

In another aspect, Met is selected from Jr and Pt. In a further aspect,(Y¹⁰³-Y¹⁰⁴) is a carbene ligand.

In one aspect, the host compound contains at least one of the followinggroups selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbon cycliccompounds such as benzene, biphenyl, triphenyl, triphenylene,naphthalene, anthracene, phenalene, phenanthrene, fluorene, pyrene,chrysene, perylene, azulene; group consisting aromatic heterocycliccompounds such as dibenzothiophene, dibenzofuran, dibenzoselenophene,furan, thiophene, benzofuran, benzothiophene, benzoselenophene,carbazole, indolocarbazole, pyridylindole, pyrrolodipyridine, pyrazole,imidazole, triazole, oxazole, thiazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole,dioxazole, thiadiazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine,triazine, oxazine, oxathiazine, oxadiazine, indole, benzimidazole,indazole, indoxazine, benzoxazole, benzisoxazole, benzothiazole,quinoline, isoquinoline, cinnoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline,naphthyridine, phthalazine, pteridine, xanthene, acridine, phenazine,phenothiazine, phenoxazine, benzofuropyridine, furodipyridine,benzothienopyridine, thienodipyridine, benzoselenophenopyridine, andselenophenodipyridine; and group consisting 2 to 10 cyclic structuralunits which are groups of the same type or different types selected fromthe aromatic hydrocarbon cyclic group and the aromatic heterocyclicgroup and are bonded to each other directly or via at least one ofoxygen atom, nitrogen atom, sulfur atom, silicon atom, phosphorus atom,boron atom, chain structural unit and the aliphatic cyclic group.Wherein each group is further substituted by a substituent selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl,heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl,alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl,carboxylic acids, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl,sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof

In one aspect, host compound contains at least one of the followinggroups in the molecule:

wherein R¹⁰¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acids, ether,ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, andcombinations thereof, when it is aryl or heteroaryl, it has the similardefinition as Ar's mentioned above. k is an integer from 0 to 20 or 1 to20. X¹⁰¹ to X¹⁰⁸ are independently selected from C (including CH) or N.Z¹⁰¹ and Z¹⁰² are independently selected from NR¹⁰¹, O, or S.

Non-limiting examples of the additional host materials that may be usedin an OLED in combination with the host compound disclosed herein areexemplified below together with references that disclose thosematerials: EP2034538, EP2034538A, EP2757608, JP2007254297,KR20100079458, KR20120088644, KR20120129733, KR20130115564, TW201329200,US20030175553, US20050238919, US20060280965, US20090017330,US20090030202, US20090167162, US20090302743, US20090309488,US20100012931, US20100084966, US20100187984, US2010187984, US2012075273,US2012126221, US2013009543, US2013105787, US2013175519, US2014001446,US20140183503, US20140225088, US2014034914, US7154114, WO2001039234,WO2004093207, WO2005014551, WO2005089025, WO2006072002, WO2006114966,WO2007063754, WO2008056746, WO2009003898, WO2009021126, WO2009063833,WO2009066778, WO2009066779, WO2009086028, WO2010056066, WO2010107244,WO2011081423, WO2011081431, WO2011086863, WO2012128298, WO2012133644,WO2012133649, WO2013024872, WO2013035275, WO2013081315, WO2013191404,WO2014142472, US20170263869, US20160163995, U.S. Pat. No. 9,466,803.

Emitter:

An emitter example is not particularly limited, and any compound may beused as long as the compound is typically used as an emitter material.Examples of suitable emitter materials include, but are not limited to,compounds which can produce emissions via phosphorescence, fluorescence,thermally activated delayed fluorescence, i.e., TADF (also referred toas E-type delayed fluorescence; see, e.g., U.S. application Ser. No.15/700,352, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety),triplet-triplet annihilation, or combinations of these processes. Insome embodiments, the emissive dopant can be a racemic mixture, or canbe enriched in one enantiomer.

Non-limiting examples of the emitter materials that may be used in anOLED in combination with materials disclosed herein are exemplifiedbelow together with references that disclose those materials:CN103694277, CN1696137, EB01238981, EP01239526, EP01961743, EP1239526,EP1244155, EP1642951, EP1647554, EP1841834, EP1841834B, EP2062907,EP2730583, JP2012074444, JP2013110263, JP4478555, KR1020090133652,KR20120032054, KR20130043460, TW201332980, US06699599, US06916554,US20010019782, US20020034656, US20030068526, US20030072964,US20030138657, US20050123788, US20050244673, US2005123791, US2005260449,US20060008670, US20060065890, US20060127696, US20060134459,US20060134462, US20060202194, US20060251923, US20070034863,US20070087321, US20070103060, US20070111026, US20070190359,US20070231600, US2007034863, US2007104979, US2007104980, US2007138437,US2007224450, US2007278936, US20080020237, US20080233410, US20080261076,US20080297033, US200805851, US2008161567, US2008210930, US20090039776,US20090108737, US20090115322, US20090179555, US2009085476, US2009104472,US20100090591, US20100148663, US20100244004, US20100295032,US2010102716, US2010105902, US2010244004, US2010270916, US20110057559,US20110108822, US20110204333, US2011215710, US2011227049, US2011285275,US2012292601, US20130146848, US2013033172, US2013165653, US2013181190,US2013334521, US20140246656, US2014103305, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,303,238,6,413,656, 6,653,654, 6,670,645, 6,687,266, 6,835,469, 6,921,915,7,279,704, 7,332,232, 7,378,162, 7,534,505, 7,675,228, 7,728,137,7,740,957, 7,759,489, 7,951,947, 8,067,099, 8,592,586, 8,871,361,WO06081973, WO06121811, WO07018067, WO07108362, WO07115970, WO07115981,WO08035571, WO2002015645, WO2003040257, WO2005019373, WO2006056418,WO2008054584, WO2008078800, WO2008096609, WO2008101842, WO2009000673,WO2009050281, WO2009100991, WO2010028151, WO2010054731, WO2010086089,WO2010118029, WO2011044988, WO2011051404, WO2011107491, WO2012020327,WO2012163471, WO2013094620, WO2013107487, WO2013174471, WO2014007565,WO2014008982, WO2014023377, WO2014024131, WO2014031977, WO2014038456,WO2014112450,

HBL:

A hole blocking layer (HBL) may be used to reduce the number of holesand/or excitons that leave the emissive layer. The presence of such ablocking layer in a device may result in substantially higherefficiencies and/or longer lifetime as compared to a similar devicelacking a blocking layer. Also, a blocking layer may be used to confineemission to a desired region of an OLED. In some embodiments, the HBLmaterial has a lower HOMO (further from the vacuum level) and or highertriplet energy than the emitter closest to the HBL interface. In someembodiments, the HBL material has a lower HOMO (further from the vacuumlevel) and or higher triplet energy than one or more of the hostsclosest to the HBL interface.

In one aspect, compound used in HBL contains the same molecule or thesame functional groups used as host described above.

In another aspect, compound used in HBL contains at least one of thefollowing groups in the molecule:

wherein k is an integer from 1 to 20; L¹⁰¹ is an another ligand, k′ isan integer from 1 to 3.ETL:

Electron transport layer (ETL) may include a material capable oftransporting electrons. Electron transport layer may be intrinsic(undoped), or doped. Doping may be used to enhance conductivity.Examples of the ETL material are not particularly limited, and any metalcomplexes or organic compounds may be used as long as they are typicallyused to transport electrons.

In one aspect, compound used in ETL contains at least one of thefollowing groups in the molecule:

wherein R¹⁰¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acids, ether,ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, andcombinations thereof, when it is aryl or heteroaryl, it has the similardefinition as Ar's mentioned above. Ar¹ to Ar³ has the similardefinition as Ar's mentioned above. k is an integer from 1 to 20. X¹⁰¹to X¹⁰⁸ is selected from C (including CH) or N.

In another aspect, the metal complexes used in ETL include, but are notlimited to the following general formula:

wherein (O—N) or (N—N) is a bidentate ligand, having metal coordinatedto atoms O, N or N, N; L¹⁰¹ is another ligand; k′ is an integer valuefrom 1 to the maximum number of ligands that may be attached to themetal.

Non-limiting examples of the ETL materials that may be used in an OLEDin combination with materials disclosed herein are exemplified belowtogether with references that disclose those materials: CN103508940,EP01602648, EP01734038, EP01956007, JP2004-022334, JP2005149918,JP2005-268199, KR0117693, KR20130108183, US20040036077, US20070104977,US2007018155, US20090101870, US20090115316, US20090140637,US20090179554, US2009218940, US2010108990, US2011156017, US2011210320,US2012193612, US2012214993, US2014014925, US2014014927, US20140284580,US6656612, US8415031, WO2003060956, WO2007111263, WO2009148269,WO2010067894, WO2010072300, WO2011074770, WO2011105373, WO2013079217,WO2013145667, WO2013180376, WO2014104499, WO2014104535,

Charge Generation Layer (CGL)

In tandem or stacked OLEDs, the CGL plays an essential role in theperformance, which is composed of an n-doped layer and a p-doped layerfor injection of electrons and holes, respectively. Electrons and holesare supplied from the CGL and electrodes. The consumed electrons andholes in the CGL are refilled by the electrons and holes injected fromthe cathode and anode, respectively; then, the bipolar currents reach asteady state gradually. Typical CGL materials include n and pconductivity dopants used in the transport layers.

In any above-mentioned compounds used in each layer of the OLED device,the hydrogen atoms can be partially or fully deuterated. Thus, anyspecifically listed substituent, such as, without limitation, methyl,phenyl, pyridyl, etc. encompasses undeuterated, partially deuterated,and fully deuterated versions thereof. Similarly, classes ofsubstituents such as, without limitation, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,heteroaryl, etc. also encompass undeuterated, partially deuterated, andfully deuterated versions thereof.

EXPERIMENTAL

Synthesis of Compound A.

To a solution of 2-bromotetraphenylene (2.500 g, 6.52 mmol) in1,4-dioxane (60 ml),13-phenyl-1,13-dihydrobenzo[4′,5′]imidazo[1′,2′:1,2]imidazo[4,5-a]carbazole(2.670 g, 7.17 mmol), potassium phosphate tribasic (1.384 g, 6.52 mmol),(1R,2R)-N1,N2-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine (5.15 ml, 32.7 mmol) andcopper(I) iodide (0.621 g, 3.26 mmol) were added. This mixture wasdegassed under nitrogen for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was thenleft to reflux at 110° C. for 40 h. Following this period, the reactionmixture was cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo. Thiswas purified by flash chromatography. The product was isolated at 55-70%DCM in heptane. All product-containing fractions were analyzed, combinedand concentrated in vacuo to isolate13-phenyl-1-(tetraphenylen-2-yl)-1,13-dihydrobenzo[4′,5′]imidazo[1′,2′:1,2]imidazo[4,5-a]carbazole(Compound A) (3.40 g, 5.04 mmol, 77% yield) as a white solid. m/z=675.20[M+H]⁺.

Synthesis of Compound B.

To a 500 mL three-neck round-bottom flask equipped with septa, reagentgrade xylene (150 mL) was added, and bubbled with nitrogen for 1 h.Then,13-phenyl-1,13-dihydrobenzo[4′,5′]imidazole[1′,2′:1,2]imidazo[4,5-a]carbazole(10.54 g, 28.0 mmol),(3-chlorophenyl)(dibenzo[b,d]thiophen-4-yl)diphenylsilane (15 g, 31.1mmol), allylpalladium chloride dimer (0.285 g, 0.778 mmol), cBRIDP(1.097 g, 3.11 mmol), and sodium tert-butoxide (8.63 g, 87 mmol) wereadded together, the headspace of the flask was purged with nitrogen forfew minutes, a balloon was attached, and the reaction mixture wasstirred vigorously under nitrogen at 110° C. for 22 h. It was dilutedwith dichloromethane (300 mL), and stirred for few hours, then filteredthrough a short Celite pad, washing copiously with dichloromethane(several times, 100 mL each). The filtrate was concentrated to give asuspension (˜200 mL), that was directly loaded on a silica gel column(volume of silica: 3×20 in.). It was eluted with 100% heptane to 75%dichloromethane in heptane. The product fractions were concentrated togive a white solid. It was dissolved in boiling dichloromethane (300 mL)and then methanol (50 mL) was added carefully to produce turbidity andlater precipitation. The solution was cooled then the product wasfiltered and washed with methanol, dried in air briefly to give1-(3-(dibenzo[b,d]thiophen-4-yldiphenylsilyl)phenyl)-13-phenyl-1,13-dihydrobenzo[4′,5′]imidazo[1′,2′:1,2]imidazo[4,5-a]carbazole(Compound B) as a white solid, 17.0 g, 67% yield, m/z=813.20 [M+H]⁺.

Synthesis of Compound C.

A mixture of Cut (2.56 g, 13.4 mmol), picolinic acid (3.31 g, 26.9mmol),13-phenyl-1,13-dihydrobenzo[4′,5′]imidazole[1′,2′:1,2]imidazo[4,5-a]carbazole(5 g, 13.4 mmol), 1-Bromobenzo[4,5]thieno[2,3-c]pyridine (4.79 g, 18.1mmol) in DMSO (150 mL) was degassed for 5 min, followed by addition ofK₃PO₄ (8.55 g, 40.3 mmol), and the mixture was degassed for another 5min then heated at 130° C. under nitrogen for 3 days. The mixture wascooled to room temperature and poured into water. The solid wascollected, washed by NH₄OH (aq), filtered, and dried. The residue wasdissolved in DCM and absorbed on SiO₂ for column, eluting with DCM toremove less polar impurities, followed by EA/DCM (5/95) to get desiredproduct1-(13-phenylbenzo[4′,5′]imidazo[1′,2′:1,2]imidazo[4,5-a]carbazol-1(13H)-yl)benzo[4,5]thieno[2,3-c]pyridine(Compound C) as a white solid, 3 g, 40% yield, m/z=566 [M+H]⁺.

Device Compounds

OLED devices were fabricated using Compound A and Compound B as well asComparison 1 as single hosts for a sky blue emitter. It was found thatthe EQE of the devices using either Compound A or B increased comparedto Comparison 1 (see Table 1, voltage and EQE data were normalized tothe Comparison 1).

TABLE 1 At 10 mA/cm² 1931 CIE Voltage EQE Host λmax x y [rel.] [rel.]Compound A 475 nm 0.179 0.407 1.02 1.01 Compound B 475 nm 0.176 0.4000.98 1.06 Comparison 1 475 nm 0.175 0.393 1.00 1.00

OLEDs were grown on a glass substrate pre-coated with anindium-tin-oxide (ITO) layer having a sheet resistance of 15-Ω/sq. Priorto any organic layer deposition or coating, the substrate was degreasedwith solvents and then treated with an oxygen plasma for 1.5 minuteswith 50 W at 100 mTorr and with UV ozone for 5 minutes. The devices inTable 2 were fabricated in high vacuum (<10-6 Torr) by thermalevaporation. The anode electrode was 750 Å of indium tin oxide (ITO).The device example had organic layers consisting of, sequentially, fromthe ITO surface, 100 Å thick Compound 1 (HIL), 250 Å layer of Compound 2(HTL), 50 Å of Compound 3 (EBL), 300 Å of Host doped with 20% Emitter 1(EML), 50 Å of Compound 4 (BL), 300 Å of Compound 5 (ETL), 10 Å ofCompound 6 (EIL) followed by 1,000 Å of Al (Cath). All devices wereencapsulated with a glass lid sealed with an epoxy resin in a nitrogenglove box (<1 ppm of H₂O and O₂) immediately after fabrication with amoisture getter incorporated inside the package. Doping percentages arein volume percent.

It is understood that the various embodiments described herein are byway of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention. For example, many of the materials and structures describedherein may be substituted with other materials and structures withoutdeviating from the spirit of the invention. The present invention asclaimed may therefore include variations from the particular examplesand preferred embodiments described herein, as will be apparent to oneof skill in the art. It is understood that various theories as to whythe invention works are not intended to be limiting.

We claim:
 1. A compound of Formula I:

wherein: X¹-X⁸ are each independently C or N, wherein two adjacent X¹-X⁸are carbon-fused to a structure of Formula II:

X⁹-X¹² are each independently C or N; A¹, A², and A³ are eachindependently selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se, N, NR, CR,CRR′, SiR, SiRR′, GeR, and GeRR′, with at least one of A¹ and A² being Nor NR; each occurrence of

is independently a single bond or a double bond, wherein one occurrenceof

is a single bond and one occurrence of

is a double bond; each of R^(A), R^(B), and R^(c) independentlyrepresents zero, mono, or up to a maximum allowed substitution to itsassociated ring; each of occurrence R, R′, R^(A), R^(B), and R^(c) isindependently a hydrogen or a substituent selected from the groupconsisting of Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, FormulaVII, Formula VIII, Formula IX, deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl,heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl,boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl,acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl,sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof, with at leastone of R, R′, R^(A), R^(B), and R^(c) comprising a group of Formula III,Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII, Formula VIII, or FormulaIX:

each occurrence of Y¹, Y², and Y³ is independently absent, O, S, Se, NR,CRR′, SiRR′, or GeRR′; each occurrence of Ar′ and Ar² is independentlyan optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substitutedheteroaryl group, wherein Ar′ and Ar² are optionally joined or fusedtogether to form a ring; each occurrence of X¹³-X²⁰ is independently Cor N, with the proviso that at least one of X¹³-X²⁰ is N; eachoccurrence of A⁴ is selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se, NR,CRR′, SiRR′, and GeRR′; each occurrence of R^(X) independentlyrepresents zero, mono, or up to a maximum allowed substitution to itsassociated ring; each occurrence of R^(X) is independently a hydrogen ora substituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium, halogen,alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy,aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl,alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof, each occurrence of R^(Y) is independently a hydrogen or asubstituent selected from the group consisting of Formula III, FormulaIV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula IX, deuterium, halogen, alkyl,cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy,amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl,aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof; the maximum number of N atoms that are connected to each otherwithin a ring is two; and any two substituents are optionally joined orfused together to form a ring.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein eachof R, R′, R^(A), R^(B), R^(c), R^(X), and R^(Y) is independently ahydrogen or a substituent selected from the group consisting ofdeuterium, fluorine, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy,amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, aryl,heteroaryl, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, and combinations thereof. 3.The compound of claim 1, wherein one of A¹ and A² is N and the other isNR.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein A³ is NR.
 5. The compound ofclaim 1, wherein X¹-X⁸ are each independently C.
 6. The compound claim1, wherein X⁹-X¹² are each independently C.
 7. The compound of claim 1,wherein one of X¹-X⁸ is N.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein one ofX⁹-X¹² is N.
 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein Y¹ and Y² are eachindependently O, and Y³ is absent.
 10. The compound of claim 1, whereinY¹, Y², and Y³ are each independently O.
 11. The compound of claim 1,wherein A⁴ is NR.
 12. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound hasthe following Formula:

wherein X¹-X¹², A¹-A³, R^(A), R^(B), and R^(C) are each as defined inclaim
 1. 13. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound has thefollowing Formula:

wherein X¹-X¹², R, R^(A), and R^(B) each as defined in claim
 1. 14. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from the groupconsisting of:

wherein X¹-X²⁰R, R^(X), R^(Y), R^(A)-R^(C), A³-A⁴, Y¹-Y³, and Ar¹-Ar²are each as defined in claim
 1. 15. The compound of claim 1, wherein thecompound of Formula I is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein the compound comprises a substituent comprising a group ofFormula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII, FormulaVIII, or Formula IX, and wherein each ring of each of the above corestructures is further independently optionally substituted from zero upto a maximum allowed substitution with its associated ring by a hydrogenor a substituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium,halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl,alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl,heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid, ether,ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, andcombinations thereof, wherein any two substituents are optionally joinedor fused together to form a ring.
 16. The compound of claim 1, whereinthe compound is selected from the group consisting of:


17. An organic light emitting device (OLED) comprising: an anode; acathode; and an organic layer disposed between the anode and thecathode, wherein the organic layer comprises a compound of Formula I:

wherein: X¹-X⁸ are each independently C or N, wherein two adjacent X¹-X⁸are carbon-fused to a structure of Formula II:

X⁹-X¹² are each independently C or N; A¹, A², and A³ are eachindependently selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se, N, NR, CR,CRR′, SiR, SiRR′, GeR, and GeRR′, with at least one of A¹ and A² being Nor NR; each occurrence of

is independently a single bond or a double bond, wherein one occurrenceof

is a single bond and one occurrence of

is a double bond; each of R^(A), R^(B), and R^(C) independentlyrepresents zero, mono, or up to a maximum allowed substitution to itsassociated ring; each of occurrence R, R′, R^(A), R^(B), and R^(c) isindependently a hydrogen or a substituent selected from the groupconsisting of Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, FormulaVII, Formula VIII, Formula IX, deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl,heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl,boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl,acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl,sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof, with at leastone of R, R′, R^(A), R^(B), and R^(c) comprising a group of Formula III,Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII, Formula VIII, or FormulaIX:

each occurrence of Y¹, Y², and Y³ is independently absent, 0, S, Se, NR,CRR′, SiRR′, or GeRR′; each occurrence of Ar¹, and Ar² is independentlyan optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substitutedheteroaryl group, wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are optionally joined or fusedtogether to form a ring; each occurrence of X¹³-X²⁰ is independently Cor N, with the proviso that at least one of X¹³-X²⁰is N; each occurrenceof A⁴ is selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se, NR, CRR′,SiRR′, and GeRR′; each occurrence of R^(X) independently representszero, mono, or up to a maximum allowed substitution to its associatedring; each occurrence of R^(X) is independently a hydrogen or asubstituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium, halogen,alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy,aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl,alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof; each occurrence of R^(Y) is independently a hydrogen or asubstituent selected from the group consisting of Formula III, FormulaIV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula IX, deuterium, halogen, alkyl,cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy,amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl,aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof; the maximum number of N atoms that are connected to each otherwithin a ring is two; and any two substituents are optionally joined orfused together to form a ring.
 18. The OLED of claim 17, wherein thecompound is a host, and the organic layer is an emissive layer thatcomprises a phosphorescent emitter and the phosphorescent emitter is atransition metal complex having at least one ligand or part of theligand if the ligand is more than bidentate selected from the groupconsisting of:

wherein each Y¹ to Y¹³ are independently selected from the groupconsisting of carbon and nitrogen; wherein Y′ is selected from the groupconsisting of B R_(e), N R_(e), P R_(e), 0, S, Se, C═O, S═O, SO₂,CR_(e)R_(f), Si R_(e)R_(f), and GeR_(e)R_(f); wherein R_(e) and R_(f)are optionally fused or joined to form a ring; wherein each R_(a),R_(b), R_(c), and R_(d) independently represent zero, mono, or up to amaximum allowed substitution to its associated ring; wherein each ofR_(a), R_(b), R_(c), R_(d), R_(e) and R^(f) is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, deuterium, halide, alkyl,cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl,alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl,carbonyl, carboxylic acid, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl,sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof; and wherein twoadjacent substituents of R_(a), R_(b), R_(e), and R_(d) are optionallyfused or joined to form a ring or form a multidentate ligand.
 19. Aconsumer product comprising an organic light-emitting device (OLED)comprising: an anode; a cathode; and an organic layer disposed betweenthe anode and the cathode, wherein the organic layer comprises acompound of Formula I:

wherein: X¹-X⁸ are each independently C or N, wherein two adjacent X¹-X⁸are carbon-fused to a structure of Formula II:

X⁹-X¹² are each independently C or N; A¹, A², and A³ are eachindependently selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se, N, NR, CR,CRR′, SiR, SiRR′, GeR, and GeRR′, with at least one of A¹ and A² being Nor NR; each occurrence of

is independently a single bond or a double bond, wherein one occurrenceof

is a single bond and one occurrence of

is a double bond; each of R^(A), R^(B), and R^(c) independentlyrepresents zero, mono, or up to a maximum allowed substitution to itsassociated ring; each of occurrence R, R′, R^(A), R^(B), and R^(c) isindependently a hydrogen or a substituent selected from the groupconsisting of Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, FormulaVII, Formula VIII, Formula IX, deuterium, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl,heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino, silyl,boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl,acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile, isonitrile, sulfanyl,sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinations thereof, with at leastone of R, R′, R^(A), R^(B), and R^(c) comprising a group of Formula III,Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII, Formula VIII, or FormulaIX:

each occurrence of V, Y², and Y³ is independently absent, 0, S, Se, NR,CRR′, SiRR′, or GeRR′; each occurrence of Ar¹, and Ar² is independentlyan optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substitutedheteroaryl group, wherein Ar¹ and Ar² are optionally joined or fusedtogether to form a ring; each occurrence of X¹³-X²⁰ is independently Cor N, with the proviso that at least one of X¹³-X²⁰ is N; eachoccurrence of A⁴ is selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se, NR,CRR′, SiRR′, and GeRR′; each occurrence of R^(X) independentlyrepresents zero, mono, or up to a maximum allowed substitution to itsassociated ring; each occurrence of R^(X) is independently a hydrogen ora substituent selected from the group consisting of deuterium, halogen,alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy,aryloxy, amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl,alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof; each occurrence of R^(Y) is independently a hydrogen or asubstituent selected from the group consisting of Formula III, FormulaIV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula IX, deuterium, halogen, alkyl,cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy,amino, silyl, boryl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl,aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, carboxylic acid, ether, ester, nitrile,isonitrile, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, phosphino, and combinationsthereof; the maximum number of N atoms that are connected to each otherwithin a ring is two; and any two substituents are optionally joined orfused together to form a ring.
 20. A formulation comprising a compoundaccording claim 1.